The meeting before the meeting

Chairman Bob opened the monthly meeting of the Railroad Club on Thursday at 12:25 pm, with 17 members present, including new prospective member Marcello Gouveia.

Treasurer’s report -- Bob for Kevin

Our bank account remains healthy. We will cover the remaining wood, roofing and concrete for the roundhouse. Membership is now at 74.

Project Status Reports

Turntable - Bill

Checked the turntable after the winter rains and found it to be in very good alignment - within .050” all around. Made a few minor adjustments to increase load on the center bearing. If the outer wheels wear down they are easily adjusted to keep them in contact with the circular track.

The top rail elevation is now set for all other rail installations in Rabbit Flat. TheTeam filled in the pit with gravel; concrete block wall is done.

Rabbit Flat - Bob for Kevin

No update

Round House - Mike.

In building 4 we have assembled a C-16 bay to check assembly methods. It will be disassembled for transport to Rabbit Flat after the foundation is in. The exterior will be plain T1-11 plywood, which Marty and Mike will score to simulate 12” scale planks. Color to be determined but will probably be some range of brown with white trim for the windows. Kevin and Bruce are planning the foundation, approximately 300 square feet with a perimeter footing, and footings under each post. Will has installed Bill’s custom made door latches, which are scale, functional and lockable. Mitchel made dividers for the K-36 doors to match Peter Mosely’s C-16 doors. Windows are still being fabricated - sub parts are all made, now it’s time for assembly. We tried to get our lumber company to trade some of our plethora of bolts for a discount on lumber, but, alas, the ‘Bolts for Boards’ program did not succeed. Thanks to Ed and Mason for organizing all the bolts. They are available for any use,

Switch Stands and Remotes - Bill

Bill laid out our decision choices for putting in switch actuators, which will be made on a case by case basis. This will be important as we lay out Rabbit Flat, which will have many switches.Your suggestions are welcome. Basically, we have 3 types of switch actuator

First, every switch coming out of building 4 has a kick switch installed. These serve three purposes. A. To prevent picking points when switches are back to back and engines are operating in reverse. B. Seldom used switches do not need the convenience of a stand or remote stand. C. They reduce tripping hazards in areas that see foot traffic. They may have indicators, but usually do not.

Second is the standard with the actuator tower next to the operating switch.

Third is the remote standard. These are more technical but very useful in highly trafficked areas so the engineer can operate the switch without exiting the engine.

There are two variations on the remote indicator (near the switch) . It can A. be a standard height tower, or B. use a short tower– which is visually less confusing, but may introduce a tripping hazard.

We will be particularly mindful of configurations so engineers unfamiliar with Rabbit Flat do not come out in reverse running direction.

Signals system - Matt

Matt will have a zoom call John Cooper (from Train Mountain) to talk about signal progress. Ed will look into lower cost housings, perhaps use 3D printing. Marty raised his hand to do some 3D printing for Ed, as he did the majority of printing for the Round House window dividers on all the windows except the front doors. Bruno also has a 3D printer and experience.

Signage - Steve

The 460 sign blanks have been cut, punched, deburred with corners rounded. Since the material is pre-primed, and we have done all the prep work, we hope the powder coating only job will cost less. Steve will work on this. Vendor says it will take about two weeks to get them all painted after he gets approval. The Points of Interest list for signs is firm. Steve will start printing the vinyl lettering. Our material has at least a 10 year life outside. Mike may suggest some points of interest that are not RR related that can be made with brown backgrounds and white letters to blend in with the scenic locale.

We need to finish numbering (kevin) the yet to be installed switches at Rabbit Flat. Now we need to measure all the sidings. We can do the Yard Limit switches early. Note that we’ve changed the design from the 90 degree V to a 120 degree V to match the narrow gauge style. Ed and Kevin will measure ROW slope for every Mile Marker (100’ spacing).

Posts are finished, Marcello has been installing screws into the holes that Jerry has been drilling

New shop machines - Ken

The press brake is getting new control wheels; Carl is making adapters for them. The Little Joe forklift was repaired with a new solenoid, but needs some work on the motor as well.

Shop and Shed Carl

Bob asked if the tool shed at Rabbit Flat (Dog house) would get new shocks (the answer is no). Carl reminds us that shop tools should be returned to the source in which they reside, not migrate to a work area or a different new home. An exception can be made for a dedicated project declared by the board. (like Rabbit Flat track, or the Round House)

New member training - Marty

Training will start June 19th - for four or five new members. Two hours each session, 3 sessions with both in-staton discussion and hands on experience around the ROW. Marty did a warm up session with Will who will be traveling in June.

News, Safety and Policies

Tom noted that every water tower on the RR works. Bob notes that steamers like the treated water that can only be found at the Littlefield Junction.

If you arrive at Pony Tracks Ranch on a work or run day, and the gate is not open, you should call Bruce or Bill, who can open it up remotely for you. Recommend you go the the club roster in the members only section of our website, and add their telephone numbers to your contacts list.

Bill and Ed will be doing some show and tell at Train Mountain’s Triennial showing our progress on our kick switch improvements, points, maybe switch stands. Bill will also be talking about propane conversions for steam engines.

Club engines

Contraption. Has not been operated for at least a year. The club is open to selling the engine and will be publishing for sale notices at Train Mountain.

Big Red - Brandon returned BIg Red for us to use until he installs the brake system in July, 2025. Bill put it right to work and took out many guests during the run day on it.

Run days, Meets and work days

May

May Work Weekend We had productive work weekend on May 19th.,

Bruce installed the air supply pipe in the long windy trench that Ken and team dug. it still needs to be filled in. The Alpine siding retaining wall is almost finished. Rail traffic has been redirected through the siding until the wall is finished. There's a cone on the main line to remind you to use the siding.

June

June 28/29 will be a Normal run weekend.

A week later, some Train Mountain attendees will come by for a special run at PV&A RR on Monday and Tuesday, June 30th and July 1. Members are also welcome to run.

Bob closed the meeting at 12:55 PM

Mike Ward

PV&ARR
Secretary

(With much help from Matt Petach)